A tamper evident cap
assembly, more particularly a combination of
vial and cap
assembly, assures the integrity of a specimen and of the
specimen collection process. The
screw cap is locked to the screw threads of a
vial, when the
vial is empty, with one of two latches that are integral to the cap
assembly and can lock the cap to the vial. The lock is broken in the presence of the specimen donor or in the presence of a witness who can testify as to
chain of custody, a specimen is placed in the vial, following which the cap is locked to the vial with the other of the two latches, which is broken when received by a testing laboratory. A loop formed to encircle the vial is connected by a tether to the cap and slipped onto the vial. At least one restraining rib on the vial is spaced below the
screw thread top and is sized to permit the loop to be forced upwardly thereover to be restrained from downward movement. In addition, a limiting
flange on the vial is spaced below the
screw thread and above the loop restraining rib sufficient to accommodate the loop, and is sized to limit upward movement of the loop. In a specific embodiment, latch staples extend from the cap which can be inserted into, and irreversibly lock with, respective hasps extending from the loop.